THE WORLD'S LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE SCOUTING ORGANIZATION

| 2,384 MLB PLAYERS | 15,801 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS

2,384 MLB PLAYERS | 15,801 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS

Create Account

Showcase | Story | 6/13/2021

Czech Kovala makes Jr. Nat debut

Jeff Dahn

Photo: Michal Kovala (Perfect Game)

MARIETTA, Ga. – Perfect Game’s mission statement ever since beginning its rise to prominence nearly three decades ago has always emphasized creating opportunities and growing the game of baseball across boundaries and borders previously never crossed.

PG took a giant step towards establishing an international footprint in 2018-19 by holding European PG Series tournaments in the Czech Republic. Three years later, right here at the PG Junior National Showcase being played at the East Cobb Baseball Complex, the fruits of that labor were realized.

Michal Kovala, a 2023 right-hander/outfielder from Ostrava, Moravia in the Czech Republic, this weekend became the first product of those Euro events to perform at a national-level showcase event in the United States, this one on PG’s largest and most heavily scouted underclass stage.

“When I saw the email and the invitation, I was so happy because I know a lot of guys that are really good and they’re all here,” Kovala told PG Sunday morning, not long after throwing two shutout innings during the day’s opening game. “That made me feel like I had the chance to be good, too, and go to college, even D-I maybe. So I was really happy.”

Earning a scholarship to play college baseball right here in the United States is not just Kovala’s goal, it’s his dream. He’s listed at 5-foot-10 and 163 pounds and he’ll have his work cut out for him moving forward, but everything seems to be in place to make that dream a reality.

It’s already a story of drive and desire, promise and perseverance, sacrifice and success. Here is a teenager who has left family and friends behind a continent away to pursue the same carrot at the end of a stick that thousands of homegrown American prospects his age are also chasing.

The fact that Kovala even received that invitation to the PG Jr. National shows that decision-makers within PG already feel there’s a good chance Kovala can emerge on the other side standing tall, right alongside all of the other top prospects from the class of 2023 in attendance here.

While currently unranked himself, he is on a Gray Team roster on which every other 2023 prospect is ranked as a top-500 nationally, 15 of whom have already committed to D-I schools. Those numbers include top guys in No. 6 TayShaun Walton, a Miami commit out of Virginia, and No. 79 Dylan Questad, a Notre Dame commit from Wisconsin.

If his two innings of work here Sunday morning were any indication, he will most certainly continue to fill scouts’ notebooks with words of praise. He allowed one hit and struck out five in those two frames, showing a fastball that topped out at 89 mph and exemplary off-speed stuff.

The scouting report noted that Kovala “flashed a quick arm” and “filled up the zone” during his outing. The fastball “jumped out of his hand” and he was able to mix in a “parachute changeup” and a “tight spinning breaking ball” while remaining “very confident in his arsenal.” Simply put, the kid was impressive.

It’s not as if Kovala came completely out of nowhere. He actually debuted at a pair of PG Series events in Fort Myers in 2017 made possible through PG’s relationship with David Winkler, the head coach of the Czech Republic 18u National Team and the MLB Coordinator in the country.

“It wasn’t with the Czech National Team but it was just some of us guys from Czech playing in a tournament; it was a good experience,” Kovala said, adding that was the first time he had stepped foot in the United States.

Upon returning home, Kovala made his biggest impression with PG by taking part in a pair of events in the Czech Republic in both 2018 and 2019, first with the Prague Academy team at both the 2018 PG European Series Challenge and the PG Inaugural 15u European Classic.

PG returned in 2019 and Kovala performed with the Czech Baseball Academy Blue at both the PG European Challenge and the PG 16u European Classic, earning all-tournament honors in the latter. He worked 5 2/3 innings at the 16u Euro event, allowing one earned run (1.20 ERA) on two hits with nine strikeouts and four walks.

Kovala is now attending Combine Academy in Lincolntown, N.C., and performed for the championship-winning Combine team at the PG High School Showdown-Academies tournament in Hoover, Ala., in March. Kovala remembered fondly the first day of the playoffs when he learned in a hurry what bracket play at a PG tournament is all about.

“It was the first big tournament that we had and I must say that the team worked really good together,” he said. “We had three games in one day and the third one was the most important because that was an elimination game. Everybody was so tired but they (left) their heart out on the field and we won that game, so it was really great.”

It was at the Showdown-Academies where PG National Scouting Director Jered Goodwin first got a look at the young right-hander.

Kovala worked an inning at the Showdown, striking out one while showing a fastball that sat 86-88 mph but, as Goodwin said this weekend, he remembered thinking, “There’s a lot more there.” Goodwin also noted that the breaking ball is really coming along and is much better now than it was just four months ago. But the biggest jump, Goodwin said, has come with his command, and that’s huge.

“You can see there’s clear development especially coming over here and kind of learning our style of game; he’s picked up on it very, very quickly,” Goodwin added. “Going to an American college, that’s a big, big deal because it does get really, really fast when that comes about.

“It’s been impressive to see. Especially spending two more years here he’s going to fit in with the American game just with the short time he’s been able to develop and how fast he’s picked it up.”

Kovala, an excellent student who speaks seemingly flawless English, was even more succinct in his own evaluation:

“They say you become a product of your environment, right, so if everybody’s throwing hard here you’re eventually going to be throwing hard too, if you put in the work,” he said. “I think I put in the work and I gained 5 mile-per-hour since last fall; I think it’s been very beneficial for me.”

There can be drawbacks to pursuing your dream a half-a-world away from home, with the most obvious being the absence of immediate family. Kovala admitted that when he was home with his parents, his mom would do his laundry and cook his meals, and a lot of his other basic needs were similarly taken care of by his family members.

“When I got here, it was kind of a shock at first,” he said with a knowing grin. “But I got used to it and I’m taking care of myself now.”

At the start of the summer, Kovala was staying with FTB/Phillies Scout Team recruiter and former San Francisco Giants scout Tim Rock in the Orlando area. He is now living with FTB teammate Anthony Saleeba, a top-500 2023 catcher/outfielder from Jacksonville who has committed to South Florida; Saleeba is also here at the Jr. National Showcase this week.

And family is important. Michal’s dad, Petr Kovala, was a baseball guy himself having played with the Czech National Team during his younger years; older brother, Tomas Kovala, also plays. A true athletic family, Michal’s mom, Pavlína Kovalová, was a figure skater.

“My dad played and my brother always played baseball so I just kind of fit into the family; I’ve played baseball since I was 3 years old,” Kovala said. “It’s been my hobby since forever.”

The family does go against the grain somewhat in that regard because as Kovala points out baseball isn’t among the most popular sports in the Czech Republic, although through efforts like those put forth by MLB and PG, it’s gaining traction. Kovala called it a “small circle” of around 2,000 people nationwide who are currently involved with the game in his home country, and that intimacy kind of makes it all the more special.

“It’s so friendly; nobody is trying to be disrespectful,” he said. “Everybody is enjoying the league and just focusing on the baseball part of (the game) and not all the trash-talking, maybe.”

Kovala plans on sticking around the States for a while, returning home to the Czech only during a Christmas break with other brief visits sprinkled in when time allows. He is already rostered with FTB Tucci 2023 to play at both the PG 16u Florida Elite Championship in Sanford, Fla., June 23-26 and at the PG BCS 16u National Championship in Fort Myers, Fla., July 6-11. More dates are sure to be scheduled and Kovala will be ready for the attention he’s sure to receive.

“I’m not trying to focus on the scouts,” he said. “I’m just thinking in my head, one pitch at a time and I’m just trying to focus on my game.”

Michal Kovala has received tremendous support and encouragement from FTB/Phillies Scout team personnel, mentioning specifically the aforementioned Tim Rock and FTB founder George Gonzalez. He also wanted to be sure to give a big shout-out to the Saleeba family for putting a roof over his head when he’s not out on the road playing ball with all of his new-found American friends.

Kovala feels like the coaches he’s come into contact at FTB have put him on a path to success and they’re influence has been immeasurable:

“It’s been amazing; I’m enjoying every single second of it,” he said. “It’s been a really good opportunity for me and I’m just trying to make the most out of it. … It’s always good to meet new people, have good connections and it’s just awesome being here...This is so much fun, I’ll tell you that. I’m just trying to focus on my game and be the best I can be.”

And to think it all started in the big Czech Republic city of Ostrava where with the encouragement of his dad and his brother he first started playing baseball as a 3-year-old. Perfect Game helped open a gateway to the United States and each time opportunity knocked, Kovala continued to open the door. Maybe – and with each new outing it’s becoming more probable – college recruiters will be the next ones to come knocking.

That was always my dream from the start of my baseball career,” he said. “I told my mom even when I was little that I wanted to play baseball in America and now it’s happening; I’m really excited for it.”

PERFECTGAME.TV

Give us your feedback

Showcase | Story | 11/17/2025

Junior National & Sophomore National Set

Hannah Jo Groves

PG Sets Dates for 2026 Junior and Sophomore National Showcases Perfect Game announced the dates and location for the 2026 Junior and Sophomore National Showcases - premier events that boast many MLB alumni from years past. Both the Junior and Sophomore National showcases will be held at the East Cobb complex in Marietta, Georgia in 2026 and carry a torch as the unofficial kick off to the summer circuit as college recruiting coordinators pack the stands and find the next wave to commit come August 1st. The Junior National will be June 6-10 and the Sophomore National will immediately follow - June 10-13. Greg Sabers, Perfect Game’s Vice President of Scouting and Showcases, shared his excitement ahead of some of the most top-tier events of next summer. “The PG Junior National in 2026 is the premier event for the top players in the Class of 2028,”...

Draft | Rankings | 12/23/2025

Top 2028 Collegiate Draft Prospects

Vincent Cervino

The college players in the 2028 draft class have yet to step on campus, but they're positioned to make an immediate impact. Several high end talents either turned down significant money last year or honored strong college commitments, resulting in their arrival on campus this fall. The class is currently led by a trio of high-upside arms in Jack Bauer, Angel Cervantes, and Cameron Appenzeller. They are followed by a deep group of bats that rounds out a strong, high end Top-10. Rk. Name Level Pos. B-T School Hometown State 1 Jack Bauer C LHP L-L Mississippi State Frankfort IL 2 Angel Cervantes C RHP R-R UCLA Lynwood CA 3 Cameron Appenzeller C LHP L-L Tennessee Springfield IL 4 Brayden Jaksa C C R-R Oregon Fremont CA 5 JD Stein C SS R-R Wake Forest Carmel IN 6 Mason Ligenza C OF L-L Pittsburgh Brockton PA 7 Ty Peeples C OF L-R Georgia Lavonia GA 8 Lucas Franco C SS L-R TCU Katy TX 9...

Juco | Story | 12/23/2025

2025 Year in Review: JUCO

Blaine Peterson

Looking Back at the 2025 Top 10 Matt Barr (‘25 Niagara, ‘26 Minnesota Twins) Bursting onto the scene last winter, footage of an indoor bullpen rocketed Barr onto the radar of many. Explosive fastball reaches near triple digits with incredible spin numbers across the secondaries. Huge numbers at Niagara earned him the title of the first Juco player drafted in 2025. JC Vanek (‘25 Chipola, ‘26 Kansas City Royals) Just a professional hitter. Vanek for two years at Chipola was an impossible out. While there are questions if the power will ever reach what it takes to play first base at the big league level, the bat and quality defensive skillset at first base may carry. Donovan Becerra (‘25 New Mexico, ‘26 Texas Tech) One of the more high octane arms anywhere in the country last year. Can reach back for upper 90’s and has shown serious swing and...

Draft | Story | 12/22/2025

2025 Year in Review: Draft

Isaiah Burrows

2025 Year in Review: Draft We’ve reached the end of the 2025 calendar year, and while we’ve already jumped in on the 2026 cycle with some of the fall events and post-draft content we’ve had here at Perfect Game, there’s still one more piece on the docket, and that’s the 2025 Year-In-Review piece here from the PG Draft staff. The 2025 MLB Draft took place in July, when many highly talented players heard their names called and continued their journey through the game to the next level. There’s already been some of those names making noise in the minors and guys who are moving up prospect lists and becoming names to know for MLB fans digging deep into the future of their organizations. While we are going to “close the book” on 2025 with this article, these players still have many years ahead of them, and many blank pages to continue...

College | Recruiting | 12/22/2025

Recruiting Notebook: December 22

Jheremy Brown

Lucien Saint Cyr, INF, Class of 2026 Commitment: Bucknell Saint Cyr announced his pledge to Bucknell, giving the Bison an interesting blend of present tools and projection. Saint Cyr stands 6-foot-1 and offers room to fill in his medium frame, profiling in the middle infield defensively. The New York product starts wide at the base in the right-handed box, keeping his hands high behind the ear. He works into a subtle outward step load, firing through a compact barrel that showcases bat speed and gap-to-gap impact. For head coach Scott Heather and Bucknell, they land a high-quality Northeast infielder in the ’26 cycle, adding to a class that takes the quality over quantity approach. Patrick Diaz ('26, NY) 102 EV off the bat. Impact to the pull side. #PGNational @PGMidAtlantic @PG_Uncommitted pic.twitter.com/NN0L3FRdO9 — PG Showcases (@PGShowcases) July 9, 2025 Patrick Diaz,...

High School | General | 12/19/2025

Huntington Beach HS World Series Recap

Steve Fiorindo

MVPitcher: Duncan McLeod The uncommitted junior toed the slab in three of the four games for Team Mick, tossing 3 2/3 innings. Zero walks, zero hits and 6 punchouts for the lefty who was used both as a starter in the series clinching game 4 and he closed out game 3 on Friday in quick fashion. McLeod was very efficient as well, needing just 42 pitches over all his outings. In the game 4 start, over two innings he punched out 3, with one strikeout with all of his offerings. The mid 80’s fastball regularly played up, set up with efficient use of the secondaries, with the breaking ball 73/74 and fading change-up 72-74. Owen Bone (2026) at it again... Solo shot in the 5th to tie things up. Back to back days with a home run for Bone. #PGHS pic.twitter.com/2JC9qETI5h — Perfect Game California (@California_PG) December 13, 2025 MV Hitter: ...

Tournaments | Story | 12/19/2025

13u Tourney All-American Team

Jheremy Brown

What a year it was in 2025 on the national landscape at the 13u level as Perfect Game continues to expand its reach around the country, providing an even bigger schedule of events coast-to-coast which has allowed players all over show out and gain their deserved recognition. Whether in Texas for the Houston 1000 or the 13u WWBA in West Palm Beach, we saw huge, eye opening performances from the players placed below, knowing that we could EASILY build a third team and likely a fourth without much effort. As we do every year with this exercise, it's worth pointing out the trickiness of this age group and putting the teams together with the 13u group. While the players are all members of the Class of 2030, some are younger for the grade, which allowed them to play at the 12u level where's it's a smaller field, shorter mound distance and different bats, so we'll separate them out and...

Tournaments | Story | 12/18/2025

14u Tourney All-American Team

Tyler Russo

Player of the Year: Asher Williams It was an incredible year for Williams that was rewarded with a trip to the 14U Select Fest, before some more impressive play in the fall. He came to the plate almost 250 times in PG tournaments throughout 2025 and reached base in well over half of them, hitting to a .500 AVG while slugging a 14U circuit best 12 bombs and driving in 113 runs. The numbers on the surface are ridiculous, but when you look at the high-level events he put them up in, it makes it even more impressive. Pitcher of the Year: Tristan Blalock Blalock earns this honor after a dominant 2025 where he struck out 85 batters in just 48.2 innings of work with a minuscule 1.58 ERA. This included several strong performances at many national level tournaments and showcases where he was able to bully some of the best hitters in the country. It’s hard not to fall in love with...

Draft | Story | 12/18/2025

PG Draft: Gut Feel Guys

Tyler Henninger

While we are nearing the turn of the calendar to the 2026 year, that means we are just inching closer to the beginning of the season for many high school players and college baseball is on the horizon. We are prepping for a reshuffle of the 2026 MLB Draft Board as well here amongst the PG Draft staff. But before we get to that, we sat down and have each picked a couple of players who are in the mix to get selected in a couple of different buckets. We have prospects who could go into the Top 30 picks or so, prospects who could be selected in the Top 5 rounds, and prospects who could go inside of the Top 10 rounds. With the draft quite far down the road and a lot of re-shuffling to be done as these players play themselves into certain spots on the draft board, our scouts picked some players who fit into these “buckets” who are gut-feel guys. These are the guys that our PG...

Tournaments | Story | 12/17/2025

15u Tourney All-American Team

Jason Phillips

Hitter of the Year: Landon Bonner The 2028 class saw many players from across the country take the next step in their development as they entered the High School ranks. There were huge performances from highly ranked players on the PG circuit as well as some under-the-radar guys who burst onto the scene. Landon Bonner came into Sophomore National as a Top 500 ranked player and after an impressive showing, left with all eyes on him as a rankings riser in the class. The left-handed hitting shortstop from The Colony, Texas, had a summer to remember with All-Tournament Team selections in three of his next four events culminating with a historic performance at the 2025 PG 15U WWBA National Championship. The Hebron High School prep went 20-for-24 in nine games for 5 Star Mafia 15U Black with four homeruns and 12 runs batted in. He also scored 17 runs and finished with a mind-boggling 2.500...

Tournaments | Story | 12/16/2025

16u Tourney All-American Team

AJ Denny

Hitter of the Year: Koa Romero is the Hitter of the Year for the 16u group, as he would come to every premier event of the summer and earn All-Tournament honors (Beast of the East, 16/17u WWBA, Jupiter) in every single one. Over 82 plate appearances, Romero would pump ten homeruns with forty two RBI and sixteen walks, good for a .378 average and 1.339 OPS. The performance on volume at the best events of the year pushed Romero over the edge here, as he’d hit a pair of homeruns in Jupiter (one of them at 112 EV) as an underclassmen and collect double digit hits in BOTH WWBA events with a combined six jacks over the two tournaments. It was a summer that combined performance and winning on the biggest stages for Romero. It’s a quiet left-handed swing that packs a punch. He would reap the benefits of his performances, earning a commitment to LSU and jumping to the #74 prospect in...

Loading more articles...

PERFECTGAME.TV

SPEND MORE. SAVE MORE.

Event Types

Special Events

Featured

Baseball Showcases

Player Rankings

DRAFT BOARD

Team Rankings

Travel Team Rankings

College Rankings

Softball Player Rankings

Top Ranked Players

PG Rawlings Preseason All American

Top Ranked Teams

Recruiting Menu

Event Results

PG EVENT CONTENT

HIGH SCHOOL CONTENT

MLB DRAFT CONTENT

COLLEGE CONTENT

RECENT ARTICLES

PG Alumni

NOTABLE MLB PLAYERS

About Perfect Game